Phillips Lytle Receives National Diversity Award From AT&T

Phillips Lytle LLP has received the 2012 AT&T Legal Department Diversity and Inclusion Award for the medium sized firm category. The national award, which recognizes Phillips Lytle’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, was accepted by David J. McNamara, the firm’s managing partner, and Douglas W. Dimitroff, leader of the firm’s Telecommunications Team, in ceremonies in Dallas, TX on February 15.

“AT&T is pleased to present the 2012 AT&T Legal Department Diversity and Inclusion Award to Phillips Lytle. Their unique activities and accomplishments are a testament to their commitment to increasing diversity in the legal community. We are proud to partner with a law firm that shares our commitment to diversity," said Wayne Watts, senior executive vice president and general counsel.

“Phillips Lytle recognizes that commitment to diversity and inclusion takes many forms. It is about policies, culture, education, activism, community service and dedication to the pipeline into the professions. Diversity remains a core value of the firm as we continue to introduce new initiatives that embrace an environment of inclusion," said Mr. McNamara. “To be selected by AT&T for this prestigious award makes us very proud and reinforces our commitment to making diversity part of everything we do everyday,” he added.

Among the firm’s many diversity initiatives that contributed to the AT&T award are:

Phillips Lytle’s innovative “Peace Out” pipeline program, in which firm lawyers guide middle school students in urban and underserved schools in legal problem solving in areas of interest to the students;

the Phillips Lytle Diversity Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to law school students who are traditionally underrepresented;